Critical health update on Gabriel Landeskog

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog hasn't been able to suit up for his team since he became the first team captain since Joe Sakic in 2001 to hoist the Stanley Cup, undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign.

As if that weren't enough, it was soon revealed that he needed cartilage transplant surgery in his right leg, causing him to miss all of the 2023-24 campaign as well. But could there be hope on the horizon? 

According to Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, it wouldn't be inconceivable to see Landeskog back on the ice for the team shortly into the upcoming 2024-25 season, perhaps in the first month or two. 

"He's trying to make a return here sometime near the start of the season and if that goes well, it would be a really big boost for us," Bednar said Saturday while attending 2024-25 South Carolina Stingrays Fan Fest at North Charleston Coliseum. "So, that's something we're all a little anxious about, but really excited about as well. He hasn't played for us in two years."

"It's just when he feels well enough to sort of keep ramping up and taking the next step," Bednar said. "It's been a long time now, so there's no rush. It's just all with what he's feeling comfortable with. … Just what he's been able to do both in the gym with his training off the ice and what he's been able to do on the ice, we're certainly optimistic that he'll be able to come back."

Landeskog was selected by the Avalanche with the 2nd overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, and would become the youngest captain in NHL history at 19 years and 286 days. In 738 NHL games, he's scored a total of 238 goals and 323 assists while also adding 27 goals and 40 assists in 69 career postseason games. 

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